DAN BAILEY - Born and raised in York, England, I’ve lived in Japan for over two decades (half my life). I am channelling that experience into photography, video, and writing on cultural identity. My outsider’s eye has become a key strength in engaging with and documenting the country I now call home. My work is me trying to figure things out, and sharing that curiosity and enthusiasm through mixed media — photography, video, and writing.

Having founded the influential, award-winning website Tokyo Dandy³, I have worked across multiple areas of the industry — from casting and social media planning to event production and PR. These roles have given me broad industry knowledge while allowing me to pursue my craft independently.

Whilst continuing to work in such consulting roles, my heart’s intention is to broaden the reach and horizons of my personal work.

My body of work consists of three distinct projects:

TOKYO DANDY - Founded in 2008, Tokyo Dandy was one of the first platforms to spotlight the merging of high fashion and street style in Japan. It became a reference point for Tokyo’s creative scene, covering fashion, art, and nightlife while collaborating with global brands and local talent. My nightlife photography was the backbone of the website and is an archive of Tokyo nightlife.

DISPOSABLES - An ongoing photography project shot entirely on disposable cameras. DISPOSABLES reflects on impermanence, identity, and memory in Japan, blending personal narrative with cultural observation. What began as snapshots has grown into a body of work that reconsiders how images live, fade, and endure.

MATSURI - Traditional Japanese festivals — some centuries old — that embody community, spirituality, and seasonal cycles. From fire festivals to harvest rites, matsuri are a recurring subject in my documentation, captured not only as spectacle but as living expressions of identity and belonging. A video series coming soon.